How much did the closure really affect MSY ops? What's a normal runway configuration with both runways open at MSY? I thought 10/28 could handle all the traffic, actually MSY is the only place I know of that sometimes uses runway 28 for departures and runway 10 for landings simultaneously (please correct me if I'm wrong).

Did 1/19 get an extension? What's going to happen when they close 10/28?

Also, Tom... you know if the airport is planning to do anything for the longer flights. Though it shouldnt be a problem as no scheduled flights ex-MSY are longer than 2000mi; how are the airlines reacting to 3000ft of less runway being all that's going to be open in 2005?

"actually MSY is the only place I know of that sometimes uses runway 28 for departures and runway 10 for landings simultaneously (please correct me if I'm wrong)."
I flew from MSY on November 3rd and observed this prior to boarding my flight. I imagine it's done at the request of pilots, traffic permitting.
Tom in NO,
Whats the status of the proposal to build a 1/19 parallel to the west of the 10 threshold?

With a choice between changing one's mind & proving there's no need to do so, most everyone gets busy on the proof.

ATC will allow opposing traffic if the amount and spacing of traffic is adequate. Launches off of 28 will go either left or right depending on the destination.

Fred is correct, no additional length to 1/19, still at 7,000'.

The reconstruction of 10/28 will a major pain for all involved. It'll leave us with only a 7,000' runway, which means the project will have to be done during the 'cooler' months. I would imagine that a lot of weight penalties will be taken during those 6-odd months. Will also be some logistical/operational problems during the period when we have to tie the intersection of 10/28 with taixway Sierra and runway 1/19.

As for the opening of 1/19 this morning, first arrival was a Southwest flight, believe it was flight 2078 or similar. The runway hadn't been properly swept off, and he landed and reversed amidst a great cloud of dust (big-time dust). A couple more landed, one took off, and then the runway shut back down to be swept. When I came off the airfield after watching and shooting the proceedings, we were back to a 28/28 operation.

Tom at MSY

"The criminal ineptitude makes you furious"-Bruce Springsteen, after seeing firsthand the damage from Hurricane Katrina

I fly into MSY often. When departing to the east has anyone else that DIP at the beginning of the East/West runway? What is the length of the east/west runway? It cannot be 10,000 ft,as hard the braking action is.

And runway 1/19 is now opened,oh joy.......The close view of the motorist on the I-10 and Airport drive interchange is pricelesss.

ConcordeBoy,
I was aware of that proposal by the Monteleone's. Saw a sketch of it in the Times-Picayune during a visit last year, I believe. Aside from the logistical and environmental hurdles, how close is that proposed r/w to the Bonnet Carre spillway?

With a choice between changing one's mind & proving there's no need to do so, most everyone gets busy on the proof.

William:
The dip on 10/28 still exists, and will likely exist in some form into the distant future. When we lengthened the runway in the late 80's, a tunnel was built underneath the runway in order to facilitate a road traveling from Veteran Blvd on the north side of the airport to Airline Drive on the south side. That road has not been built (that's a state function I believe), and I don't see it happening for a while.

Being that the section of runway built over the tunnel has a strong foundation, and areas adjacent are subject to the high water table, the adjacent sections tend to sink over time, creating the "dip". I've driven over the dip at high speeds on more than one occasion, and obviously flown over it. It is quite noticeable, especially if we haven't done any repair work for a time. Every 4 or 5 years, we go back and resurface the entire dip area. But, the area does denegrate over time.

Hopefully, the reconstruction of the runway in 2005 (will be full-length concrete with a serious base) will help the situation.

As for the Monteleone alternative, no one around here seriously thinks it's going to happen. For one thing, the logistics involved in creating a taxiway strong enough, with enough foundation, high enough, and that doesn't involve a serious up and then down slope (over Interstate 310) to the runway are tremendous indeed.

As for Southwest gates and their proximity to runways, 28 is the closest for their aircraft on the odd-numbered gates (B-1, 5, 7, 9, 11); 1 is closest for those on the even number gate (B-2, 4, 6, etc). And yes, many times they do take the quick way out (depending on traffic).

Tom at MSY

"The criminal ineptitude makes you furious"-Bruce Springsteen, after seeing firsthand the damage from Hurricane Katrina

I spoke with WN's station manager recently. He told me that they are waiting to pick up some additional flights before formally taking over the rest of the gates on B. In the meantime, they do have some queueing/lineup paraphanalia in some of the gate areas down there. On occasion, they use B-15 as an overflow flight. Since there is no demand from the other airlines for those gates, it's more a case of waiting for WN to sign on the dotted line.

Regarding WN and proximity to the nearest runways, 28 is the closest for the odd-numbered gates on B, rwy 01 for the even-numbered gates.

Tom

"The criminal ineptitude makes you furious"-Bruce Springsteen, after seeing firsthand the damage from Hurricane Katrina

Tom,when will SWA's concourse be updated? Something similar to the CO/DL concourse.

I can see why SWA would want to use the East/West runway,if they are only heading west to Texas. The two mile length negates the wind factor.

This is funny. I was watching a SWA 737 follow a AA 737 around B concourse. The AA jet was taxying at a snail's pace,as it proceded to the end of runway 1. In what I thought was kind of humorous,the following SWA(as if they were impatient) turned onto the runway 1(with clearance I am sure) using the next to the last entrance ramp. By the time the AA was had reach the beginning of runway 1 the SWA had started its takeoff roll from its "shortcut". Funny indeed.